Q. 859.  Besides being in a state of grace and performing the works enjoined, what else is necessary for the gaining of an Indulgence?  A. Besides being in a state of grace and performing the works enjoined, it is necessary for the gaining of an Indulgence to have at least the general intention of gaining it.

Q. 860.  How and why should we make a general intention to gain all possible Indulgences each day?  A. We should make a general intention at our morning prayers to gain all possible Indulgences each day, because several of the prayers we say and good works we perform may have Indulgences attached to them, though we are not aware of it.

Q. 861.  What works are generally enjoined for the gaining of Indulgences?  A. The works generally enjoined for the gaining of Indulgences are:  The saying of certain prayers, fasting, and the use of certain articles of devotion; visits to Churches or altars, and the giving of alms.  For the gaining of Plenary Indulgences it is generally required to go to confession and Holy Communion and pray for the intention of the Pope.

Q. 862.  What does praying for a person’s intention mean?  A. Praying for a person’s intention means praying for whatever he prays for or desires to obtain through prayer—­some spiritual or temporal favors.

Q. 863.  What does an Indulgence of forty days mean?  A. An Indulgence of forty days means that for the prayer or work to which an Indulgence of forty days is attached, God remits as much of our temporal punishment as He remitted for forty days’ canonical penance.  We do not know just how much temporal punishment God remitted for forty days’ public penance, but whatever it was, He remits the same now when we gain an Indulgence of forty days.  The same rule applies to Indulgences of a year or any length of time.

Q. 864.  Why did the Church moderate its severe penances?  A. The Church moderated its severe penances, because when Christians—­terrified by persecution—­grew weaker in their faith, there was danger of some abandoning their religion rather than submit to the penances imposed.  The Church, therefore, wishing to save as many as possible, made the sinner’s penance as light as possible.

Q. 865.  To what things may Indulgences be attached?  A. Plenary or Partial Indulgences may be attached to prayers and solid articles of devotion; to places such as churches, altars, shrines, &c., to be visited; and by a special privilege they are sometimes attached to the good works of certain persons.

Q. 866.  When do things lose the Indulgences attached to them?  A. Things lose the Indulgences attached to them:  (1) When they are so changed at once as to be no longer what they were; (2) When they are sold.  Rosaries and other indulgenced articles do not lose their indulgences, when they are loaned or given away, for the indulgence is not personal but attached to the article itself.

Q. 867.  Will a weekly Confession suffice to gain during the week all Indulgences to which Confession is enjoined as one of the works?  A. Weekly confession will suffice to gain during the week all Indulgences to which confession is enjoined as one of the works, provided we continue in a state of grace, perform the other works enjoined and have the intention of gaining these Indulgences.